Redevelopment authority to apply for shelter grant
The Fayette County Redevelopment Authority will apply for a grant to help county residents in need of short-term or temporary shelter.
Andrew French, authority executive director, said while it remains unknown what dollar figure will be attached to the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) grant application, the funding would benefit several programs that are offered by local agencies.
Referred to as the Emergency Solutions Grant Program, the funding will be earmarked for Fayette County Community Action Agency and City Mission- Living Stones offerings to the homeless, said French.
The programs, including the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program (HPRP), are a safety net for many, said Tammy Knouse, Community Action’s director of customer service.
“It helps a family that may fall behind in their rental payments and then finds themselves with no place to stay,” she said.
For up to two years, a family would receive rental financial assistance, job training and other services to aid in their efforts to assume complete responsibility for the monthly payments.
The funding also would be used for temporary housing for single mothers, youths and families in need, said French.
Also, the grant provides funding for the agencies to improve properties being used as temporary shelters.
French, meanwhile, said that he anticipates learning more about the available funding for the county programs by the end of the week.
The next step will be to have the Fayette County commissioners approve the submission of the grant application.
French said that the filing deadline is Sept. 28.